It's a hawk -- unless it's a falcon

We started the day with this great shot of a raptor, sent by a reader looking for help with an ID. So far, the votes for red-tailed hawk outnumber the votes for peregrine falcon, though both groups seem equally certain.

Bruce H. makes a good case for this being a hawk: "An adult red-tailed hawk: dark hood, semblance of a belly band, clean tail without barring. Birds often perch on one foot. The other is likely simply tucked up near the body and under the feathers."

As for the one-legged question, the hawk's right foot is apparently tucked up into its feathers, making the balancing act on that wide and slippery-looking metal bar all the more graceful.

Just thought you'd like to know.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Photo credit: CdlP / Your Scene

Comments

[REENIE]

THIS IS DEFINATELY NOT A PEREGRINE FALCON. WE HAVE PEREGRINE FALCONS THAT NEST ON THE LEDGE OF OUR BUILDING. I'VE BEEN WATCHING THEM FOR YEARS, BOTH THE ADULTS AND THE EYASES AND JUVIES FROM INCHES AWAY FROM ME. THIS IS A HAWK OF SOME SORT, SO I WOULD ALSO GUESS RED-TAILED.